SmartestEnergy Business Limited announces the appointment of its new CEO

SmartestEnergy Business Limited has appointed Louise Wapshare, an experienced business leader who has held notable senior roles across the energy industry, as its new Chief Executive Officer. The appointment was effective from 1st April 2021. She succeeds Ben Giddings who was Managing Director since 2016.

Ben led the company through numerous challenges and achievements, which recently included the acquisition of Dual Energy Direct Limited by SmartestEnergy Limited in December 2019. Since rebranding to ‘SmartestEnergy Business Limited’ last year, the company has continued its growth plan as a leading energy supplier for UK small-medium businesses.

Louise brings a wealth of expertise from her previous roles, including when she joined SmartestEnergy Limited as VP Finance in 2016, before being appointed to VP Operations in 2019. Prior to that she worked at Centrica for eight years in a number of roles across Centrica Energy and British Gas Services, as a member of both the Senior Finance Leadership Team of British Gas Services and the Home Repairs Senior Leadership Team.

“This is an exciting opportunity to work in a company which has been long-established in the UK energy market, well-known for its quality energy supply products and dedicated approach to serving valued customers and channel partners. Ben has done an excellent job to prime the business for its next development phase. I’m delighted to be part of such an energetic leadership team and look forward to building on such solid foundations,” said Louise Wapshare, CEO, SmartestEnergy Business.

In the past 12 months, the business has done well to ride the uncertainty and challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. Whilst there is work to be done to support its customers and the wider business community, through the backing of parent company Marubeni, the company remains in a financially stable position.

Robert Groves, CEO, SmartestEnergy Limited said, “Since acquiring Dual Energy, considerable efforts have been made to integrate the business within the SmartestEnergy Group of companies. Louise’s appointment completes the post-acquisition transition process, and we will now focus on expanding the presence of SmartestEnergy Business in the UK energy market by offering small business consumers the same benefits our existing large business consumers have enjoyed – competitively priced renewable electricity and gas, with great customer service and the help they need to deliver their carbon reduction ambitions.”

View our SmartestEnergy Business Leadership Team and learn more about our operations.